Murals Connect Washington, DC and Rio de Janeiro with Unique Cultural Exchange Ahead of G20 Summit in Brazil

Rio + DC

Events DC, the premier host for conventions, entertainment, sporting and cultural events in the U.S. capital city of Washington, D.C., and the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, through its Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy, its International Relations Department, and the G20 Cultural Embassy project, announce a cultural exchange to strengthen the connection between the United States and Brazil.

In October, Events DC will commission D.C.-based artists Gabriel Lemos, My Ly and Aniekan Udofia to paint a mural in the city; and bring Malik DOPE, a semi-finalist on 'America's Got Talent,' and his Go-go band to perform at the G20 House in Rio de Janeiro. By showcasing the artistic talent from the District and the United States, Events DC hopes to foster a long-lasting cross-cultural connection with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"Events DC is focused on building long-lasting and impactful relationships that set the standard for cultural collaboration across the world," said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. "Our partnership will demonstrate Events DC's commitment to growing international tourism in Washington, D.C. and showcase the District's vibrant and unique culture. I am excited to provide an opportunity for the world to experience the District's incredible artist talent and look forward to how our partnerships will grow."

Lemos, Ly and Udofia will produce a mural inspired by the thriving culture and soul of Washington, D.C. They will paint the piece over two weeks, October 4-13, in the Santo Cristo area in the port city of Rio.

Malik DOPE will perform with his band at the G20 house for delegations from around the world on October 14, where they will highlight D.C.'s Go-go music scene. Drawing parallels to Rio de Janeiro's vibrant samba rhythms, D.C.'s Go-go music embodies a deep-rooted cultural expression that unites communities through its infectious, heavy percussive grooves, serving as a celebration of both local identity and culture.

"The image and cultural identity of Brazil has historically been associated with Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, hosting the G20 summit and having our Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim serve as a space for interaction, functioning as a meeting point for all guests and international authorities, is a great pride and responsibility. Through our partnership with Events DC, we will have an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and once again promote the internationalization of Fluminense culture through positive agendas," said the Secretary of State for Culture and Creative Economy of Rio de Janeiro, Danielle Barros.

The idea was conceived in February 2024 when Gates traveled to Brazil to represent D.C. at the Festival of the Diaspora in Rio de Janeiro. There, she announced Events DC's commitment to investing in training the next generation of hospitality, tourism, and event leaders in Rio De Janeiro and across the globe.

Since then, a series of cross-cultural events between D.C. and Brazil have been planned to continue to strengthen the ties between the two regions. In August, through a partnership with Events DC, leaders from D.C.'s Go-Go Museum traveled to Brazil for an education and culture exchange in Salvador that included participation in a dance traditions conference, guided tours of the city, a Howard University basketball game, cooking classes and an immersion in the city's music and nightlife scene. To highlight Washington, D.C. as a global arts capital, Events DC is presenting footage that includes the Hirshhorn Museum's exhibition, "OSGEMEOS: Endless Story," the largest U.S. museum survey of artwork by renowned Brazilian artists, on view through August 3, 2025. Events DC also invested in a scholarship to support a young entrepreneur in Rio.

About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, D.C., delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the LEED Platinum-certified Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.comand find us on social media - Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) - and on our hub for on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com.

About the G20 House and the G20 Cultural Embassy Project

Between March and November 2024, the Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim, a facility of Funarj, is operating as the G20 House, offering the public programs in various artistic languages, with representations from different countries around the world, as well as seminars and meetings to discuss the themes proposed by the global forum. Exhibitions, installations, music shows, cinema, performing arts and gastronomic experiences are some of the events that have energized the cultural center, which is located in an iconic address in Rio: Ipanema Beach.

About G20 Cultural Embassy Project

The G20 Cultural Embassy is sponsored by Enel Brasil and the Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, through the Cultural Incentive Law. It is carried out by Quitanda Soluções Criativas and Instituto BR, with institutional support from FUNARJ, Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim, the State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability and the Subsecretariat for International Relations of RJ. You can learn more on their Instagram (@casag20rj).